Jimmie H. "Jim" French

Jimmie H. "Jim" French passed away June 24 at Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice House in Mountain Home. He was 82. A native Arkansan, Jim was born in Damascus, Ark. on Nov. 7, 1933 to Arthur and Nelva French. He was raised on a farm where he enjoyed growing crops and working with animals. He graduated from South Side High School and attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Ark.) in Conway before joining the United States Air Force in 1954. In the Air Force, Jim first trained as a navigator, but soon went on to earn his pilot's wings; flying C-124 Globemaster and C-141 Starlifter cargo aircraft. Jim flew hundreds of missions, transporting troops and supplies in and out of Vietnam during the war and earning a reputation throughout the Air Force as an excellent pilot. A lifelong patriot, Jim logged more than 12,000 flying hours in defense of the country he loved. In 1965, Jim married Margaret "Peg" Wedemeier at Warner Robins, Ga. After retiring from the Air Force in 1974, Jim and Peg moved to Bull Shoals to raise their six kids. They later moved to Lakeview. Jim loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught all six of his kids, as well as many friends, neighbors and relatives, how to water ski. He loved animals, especially his bird dog, "Teague" and his little dogs, "Tinky" and "Lovey." Through the years, he was known to rescue and raise the occasional litter of abandoned baby rabbits and he once freed a golden eagle entangled in fishing line. Jim was an active member of his community. He owned Jim French Realty in Bull Shoals and later worked as an agent for Beaman Realty in Lakeview. He formed many dear friendships through his work in real estate. Jim served on the Bull Shoals City Council for four years and was active in the Bull Shoals Chamber of Commerce for many years, giving his time to numerous committees and projects. He was passionate about education—from 1979–1985 he was a member of the Flippin School Board and served one year as president. His passion for education never wavered—in the past few years, he enrolled in a political science course that focused on the U.S. Constitution at Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, where he earned the highest grade in his class. Jim loved a good story and could tell one, too. He was never short on opinions, and would share his with anyone who had a minute to listen. When it came to politics, debate him at your peril because he was a formidable opponent. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Kennin, J.D. and Dick; and sister, Hildaree Short. Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Peg" of the home; sons: Richard and Terry of San Diego, Calif. and James of Benton; daughters: Teresa Campbell of Fayetteville, Lynn French of Austin, Texas, and Becky McCauley of Little Rock; granddaughter, Nicole Shipp of Fayetteville; two great-grandchildren, Carley and Cameron Shipp; brother, Teddy French of Charleston, S.C.; sister, Doris Underwood of Eden Isle and many friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Honor Flight Network, 300 E. Auburn Ave, Springfield, OH 45505-4703 or online at www.honorflight.org or to Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice House, 701 Burnett Dr., Mountain Home, AR 72653 or online at www.hospiceoftheozarks.org. Graveside services will be held at Bee Branch Cemetery in Bee Branch, Ark. on Monday, June 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. Visit our online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtnhome.